POLICE and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens will listen to the views of the public before deciding whether or not to keep Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Nick Gargan in the job.

Ms Mountstevens said she was awaiting a report from a hearing panel after Mr Gargan was found guilty of eight undisclosed counts of misconduct following allegations of date protection and inappropriate behaviour with women were made last year.

In a change of stance from last week, the crime commissioner confirmed he would not be returning to work in Avon and Somerset for the time being.

“The misconduct process is not yet complete,” she said.

“I’m waiting for the misconduct panel’s report, when I receive that I will hold a further hearing with the Chief Constable to determine his sanction.”

It was revealed last Friday (July 24) that Mr Gargan, 48, would return to work as the boss of the Avon and Somerset force in a phased process after the misconduct panel cleared him of gross misconduct.

But several police staff associations and individuals have expressed their concern that the force and the public have lost faith in Mr Gargan’s leadership.

In response, Ms Mountstevens said: “I have read the open letters from the staff associations and I am listening to the views of residents.

“The whole procedure for police misconduct is strictly regulated. Like all judicial processes when proceedings are not complete it is not possible to discuss or comment upon them until they have been finalised.

“In the meantime Chief Constable Nick Gargan will not be returning to work in Avon and Somerset. However, he will be carrying out some national work with the National Police Chiefs Council.”

Following the sanction hearing Ms Mountstevens will publish the misconduct panel’s report, the cost of the proceedings and her decision on her website.